The Ford Transit Skyliner Concept - a private jet for the road, showcasing the capability and flexibility of the all-new Ford Transit - was revealed at Galpin Auto Sports on April 10. (Photo: Business Wire)

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The Ford Transit Skyliner Concept - a private jet for the road, showcasing the capability and flexibility of the all-new Ford Transit - was revealed at Galpin Auto Sports on April 10. (Photo: Business Wire)

VAN NUYS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The future of ultra-premium land transportation is here, and it comes
with a spacious interior that morphs to support an immersive
entertainment experience or a business meeting with the swipe of a
smartphone.

Ford today unveils the Transit Skyliner Concept luxury van, illustrating
the unlimited flexibility, versatility and capability of the all-new
Transit, which goes on sale this summer.

Transit Skyliner embodies the spirit of luxury motor coaches and builds
on the heritage of custom vans, showing how Ford Transit can be
transformed to fit the needs of limousines and high-end transportation
services as well as commercial fleets, shuttle providers and
small-business owners.

Inside, Transit Skyliner can transform into four dramatic modes –
theater, business, reception and travel – with movable custom-designed
“throne” seats that reposition automatically, controlled by a smartphone
or tablet:

Business: Motorized table unfolds and leather-trimmed seats are
gathered around it for face-to-face conversation

Reception: Sliding door opens four feet wide and seats are arranged
for easy entertaining while parked at an event

Travel: Passengers can adjust their reclining seats and retractable
footrests for ultimate comfort and solitude

The entire interior – from seats to LED mood lighting – is integrated
into a Crestron automation system controlled through a smartphone or
tablet. The entertainment system also features Focal Utopia 7.2 surround
sound with speakers handmade in France specifically for Transit
Skyliner, a KVH DIRECTV satellite for HD TV and a Kaleidescape media
server with storage space equivalent to more than 300 Blu-ray movies or
more than 1,000 DVDs.

“Traveling in Transit Skyliner is an experience unlike any other,” says
Tim Stoehr, Ford manager for commercial truck marketing. “You step into
the vehicle and are immediately immersed in the custom interior and
high-tech audiovisual environment. The next thing you know, you are
arriving at your destination.”

“Transit Skyliner is the ultimate expression of a custom Transit,”
Stoehr says. “We created the vehicle to highlight the potential of the
Ford Transit platform for the limousine market and to showcase Transit
as the next generation of modern, cool, fuel-efficient vans.”

Transit Skyliner features the 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine
available on Ford Transit.

With 487 cubic feet of cargo volume and an interior height of 81.5
inches in the long wheelbase/extended body high-roof model, Transit can
be personalized to create a private jet for the road. Its unique custom
limo design proves the capabilities of Ford Transit go beyond the needs
of shuttles, commercial fleets and general contractors.

The 2015 model year Transit will offer two wheelbases, three roof
heights and three powertrains to accommodate multiple needs without body
modifications.

The exterior design for the Transit Skyliner originated out of Ford of
Europe’s Design Studio in Dunton, England, and its execution was led by
Melvin Betancourt, a Ford design manager, and Galpin Auto Sports
President Beau Boeckmann.

Galpin Ford is the world’s largest Ford dealership and has a history of
customizing vehicles that spans more than 60 years. Ford approached
Galpin for this project because the group was at the forefront of the
customized van trend of the late 1960s and 1970s and was among the
pioneers in launching the conversion van industry. Galpin remains a
longtime leader in conversion vans.

“We are sincerely excited to work with Ford in creating the future of
luxury travel,” said Galpin Auto Sports’ Boeckmann. “Tapping our history
of creating the conversion van segment in the 1960s and ’70s, as well as
our recent high-tech work, together with Ford we have brought the modern
ultra-premium van to life.

“Galpin is especially excited about the launch of the Transit, which
builds on Ford’s commercial van leadership with a new design, making it
the perfect platform from which to modify,” Boeckmann added.

Transit Skyliner will make its auto show debut at the New York
International Auto Show on April 16 at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford
Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 181,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the
company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About Galpin Motors

Galpin Motors, home to the world’s largest volume Ford dealership for
the 24th consecutive year, was founded in 1946
and is headquartered in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. Galpin is
comprised of a family of quality automobile brands that include Ford,
Lincoln, Honda, Mazda, Subaru, Volkswagen, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus and
Aston Martin. For additional information on Galpin Motors and Galpin
Auto Sports, contact Marketing Manager Jeff Skobin at 818-778-2540/jeff@galpin.com,
visit the dealer at 15505 Roscoe Blvd., North Hills, Calif. 91343, like
on Facebook at Facebook.com/GalpinMotors
or visit www.galpin.com.

About Galpin Auto Sports

Galpin Auto Sports, located at 15600 Roscoe Blvd. in Van Nuys offers
customizing and personalizing services on all new and pre-owned vehicles
including collector and classic cars. For more information on Galpin
Auto Sports’ unique products and services, please contact G.A.S. General
Manager, Steve McCord (smccord@galpin.com),
at (877)-GO-GAS-GO or visit the website at www.galpinautosports.com.